Double barrel syringe and handles for use with double barrel syringes

ABSTRACT

An apparatus that includes two syringes, or a “double barrel syringe,” includes one syringe that injects or infuses while the other syringe aspirates. In the double barrel syringe, injection and aspiration may be effected by a single action. The double barrel syringe may include a handle with two members. A first member of such a handle includes one arm that pivotally couples to a plunger of a first syringe and another arm that pivotally couples to a barrel of a second syringe. A second member of the handle includes one arm that pivotally couples to a barrel of the first syringe and another arm that pivotally couples to a plunger of the second syringe. Methods for injecting or infusing simultaneously with aspirating are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/649,190, filed Dec. 29, 2009, titled DOUBLE BARREL SYRINGE ANDHANDLES FOR USE WITH DOUBLE BARREL SYRINGES, issued as U.S. Pat. No.8,337,450, on Dec. 25, 2012, which was a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/877,529, filed Oct. 23, 2007, titled DOUBLEBARREL SYRINGE AND HANDLES FOR USE WITH DOUBLE BARREL SYRINGES, issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 7,674,247, on Mar. 9, 2010, which claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No.60/853,878, filed Oct. 24, 2006, titled DOUBLE BARREL,INFUSION/ASPIRATION SYRINGE. The entire disclosure of each of theforegoing applications is hereby incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to apparatus that include two syringes, orto “double barrel syringes,” with one syringe that injects or infuseswhile the other syringe aspirates. In particular, the present inventionrelates to hand-held, hand-operated double barrel syringes in whichinjection and aspiration may be effected by a single action. Moreparticularly, double barrel syringes that incorporate teachings of thepresent invention include handles that resemble pliers to provide amechanical advantage as fluids are simultaneously injected and aspiratedby the barrels and their cooperating plungers.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes an apparatus with two syringes. Barrelsof the two syringes are positioned adjacent to one another. Two plungersare disposed in or otherwise associated with the two barrels. Suchapparatus are referred to herein as “double barrel syringes” or, moresimply, as “syringes.”

Both barrels and plungers of a syringe according to the presentinvention are associated with a single handle. The handle may comprise aplier-grip handle. Without limiting the scope of the present invention,the handle may include two members that include features that areassociated with a first of the two syringes in the manner described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,041,084 or the manner described in U.S. application Ser.No. 11/431,377, filed May 9, 2006, the disclosures of both of which arehereby incorporated herein, in their entireties, by this reference. Themembers of the handle may also include features that are associated witha second of the two barrels in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No.7,534,234, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein, in itsentirety, by this reference. The handles and syringes are arranged in amanner that facilitates concurrent movement of the plungers in oppositedirections.

For example, when members of the handle are moved toward one another,the first plunger may be forced into its corresponding barrel (e.g.,injection or infusion), while the second plunger may be drawn out of itscorresponding barrel (e.g., aspiration).

Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art throughconsideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, andthe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which depict features of various aspects of the presentinvention:

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of a syringe thatincludes two barrels according to the present invention, showing handlemembers of the syringe in an intermediate position, in which distal endsof plungers are located in somewhat central regions of both barrels;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of syringe shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective assembly view of the embodiment of syringeshown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a rear plan assembly view of the embodiment of syringe shownin FIGS. 1 through 3;

FIGS. 5 through 8 illustrate the embodiment of syringe shown in FIGS. 1through 4 with the handles in a closed orientation:

FIG. 5 is a view of the left side of the syringe;

FIG. 6 shows the right side of the syringe;

FIG. 7 depicts the top of the syringe; and

FIG. 8 illustrates the back of the syringe;

FIGS. 9 through 12 depict the embodiment of syringe shown in FIGS. 1through 8 with the handles in an open orientation:

FIG. 9 shows the left side of the syringe;

FIG. 10 illustrates the right side of the syringe;

FIG. 11 depicts the top of the syringe; and

FIG. 12 is a view of the back of the syringe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, an embodiment of asyringe 10 that includes an infusion syringe 200 and an aspirationsyringe 300 is shown. Infusion syringe 200 and aspiration syringe 300are positioned side-by-side, with their distal ends 97 and 163 orientedin substantially the same direction.

A single pair of handles 20 is associated with, and simultaneouslyoperates, infusion syringe 200 and aspiration syringe 300. The pair ofhandles 20 includes a first, front member 30 and a second, rear member40. Front member 30 includes a proximal portion 31 with a surface thatis configured to be grasped by the fingers of one of a user's hands, andmay optionally include a ring 24 located and configured to receive theuser's index finger. A proximal portion 41 of rear member 40 isconfigured to be grasped by the thumb and palm of the same hand, and mayoptionally include a retention feature 26 for receiving the thumb onthat hand.

Front member 30 and rear member 40 are pivotally connected to oneanother by way of a hinge 22, which is positioned at locations along thelengths of front member 30 and rear member 40 that will provide optimalleverage when the pair of handles 20 is used. Without limiting the scopeof the present invention, the location of hinge 22 may resemble thelocation of a hinge on pliers, with the lengths of distal portions 33and 43 of front member 30 and rear member 40, respectively, beingrelatively short compared to (e.g., about half the lengths of) thelengths of proximal portions 31 and 41. Such an arrangement provides auser with a mechanical advantage.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and with continued referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2, the pair of handles 20 may be formed from fourassembled pieces 50, 80, 120, and 140. The outer pieces 50 and 140 maybe assembled to form front member 30 of the pair of handles 20, whilethe inner pieces 80 and 120 may be assembled to form rear member 40. Insome embodiments, the outer pieces 50 and 140 may be rigidly secured toone another and/or the inner pieces 80 and 120 may be rigidly secured toone another.

The two left side pieces 50 and 80 of the pair of handles 20 shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 are configured to operate an infusion syringe 200. Whenproximal portions 31 and 41 of front member 30 and rear member 40,respectively, are squeezed or otherwise forced together, the twoleft-most pieces 50 and 80 of the pair of handles 20 are configured toforce a plunger 72 (FIG. 7) distally into a receptacle 98 of the barrel96 of an infusion syringe 200.

The two right side pieces 120 and 140 of the pair of handles 20 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 are configured to operate an aspiration syringe 300 (bestshown by FIG. 1). When proximal portions 31 and 41 of front member 30and rear member 40 of handles 20 are squeezed or otherwise forcedtogether, pieces 120 and 140 draw a plunger 136 (FIG. 11) of aspirationsyringe 300 proximally out of a receptacle 164 of the barrel 162 ofaspiration syringe 300.

The features of front and rear members 30 and 40, as well as theirassociation with syringes 200 and 300 will now be described in furtherdetail.

As FIG. 3 shows, the outer left piece 50 of handles 20, which forms halfof front member 30 (as most clearly depicted by FIGS. 1 and 2), includesproximal portion 51, an intermediate portion 52, and a distal portion53. When viewed from the side (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 9), piece 50 isslightly angled (e.g., at an angle of about 15° to about 30°) tofacilitate grasping of handles 20 by a single hand, although it may besubstantially straight. Proximal portion 51 of piece 50 is configured tobe grasped by fingers of a user's hand, and may include a feature 54,such as a ring, that is configured to receive the user's index finger.Intermediate portion 52 of piece 50 includes features 55 that areconfigured to secure piece 50 to other pieces 80, 120, 140 of handles20, such as the depicted aperture for receiving a pivot element of hinge22 (FIG. 2). In the illustrated embodiment of piece 50, a line extendingfrom a distal-most end of piece 50 to the most proximal end of piece 50will intersect or come in close proximity to (e.g., within about acentimeter of) a pivot axis of hinge 22. Distal portion 53 of piece 50may be pivotally secured to a plunger 72 of infusion syringe 200 (FIG.1).

In this regard, as depicted in FIG. 7, along with continued reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, distal portion 53 may include a first arm 62 thatpivotally engages one side of a proximal end 71 of plunger 72 andanother arm 58 that pivotally engages another side of proximal end 71.In the depicted embodiment, arm 62 is merely the distal end of distalportion 53 of piece 50, while arm 58 protrudes upwardly, insubstantially parallel relation to arm 62, from a ledge 57 extendslaterally (to the left, when viewed from behind, as shown in FIGS. 8 and12) from distal portion 53. Each arm 58, 62 includes a receptacle 60, 64that engages and pivotally retains a pivot element 68, 70 protrudinglaterally from a proximal end 71 of plunger 72. As illustrated, pivotelements 68 and 70 may comprise circular protrusions with centers thatare aligned with the centers of circular hinge receptacles 60 and 64,with all four aligned centers defining an axis about which distalportion 53 of piece 50 and proximal end 71 of plunger 72 pivot relativeto one another.

With returned reference primarily to FIGS. 3 and 4, as well as to FIGS.1 and 2, the inner left piece 80 of handles 20, which forms half of rearmember 40 (best seen in FIG. 1), may be slightly angled (e.g., at anangle of about 15° to about 30°) to facilitate grasping of handles 20 bya single hand, although it may also be substantially straight. Likepiece 50, piece 80 includes a proximal portion 81, an intermediateportion 82, and a distal portion 83. Proximal portion 81 is configuredto be held by a thumb and palm of a user's hand. Piece 80 may alsoinclude a thumb retention feature 84, such as that appearing at a backedge of the illustrated embodiment. Intermediate portion 82 may includefeatures 85, such as the depicted opening, that enable piece 50 to bepivotally secured to other pieces 80, 120, 140 of handles 20, such aswith the pivot element of hinge 22 (best illustrated by FIG. 2). In theembodiment of piece 80 shown in FIG. 3, a line that extends from adistal-most end of piece 80 to the most proximal end of piece 80 willintersect or come in close proximity to (e.g., within about a centimeterof) a pivot axis of hinge 22 (see FIG. 2). Distal portion 83 of piece 80may be pivotally secured to a proximal end of a barrel 96 of infusionsyringe 200 (shown in FIG. 1).

An embodiment of the manner in which distal portion 83 of piece 80 maybe pivotally secured to the proximal end of barrel 96 is shown in FIGS.3 and 7. Distal portion 83 may include a pair of arms 86 and 92 thatengage opposite sides of the proximal end of barrel 96 in a cradle-likearrangement. As illustrated, one arm 86 may merely comprise an extensionof distal portion 83, while the other arm 92 protrudes from a ledge 90that extends laterally (to the left, when viewed from behind, as shownin FIGS. 8 and 12) from distal portion 83. Arms 86 and 92 may includereceptacles 88 and 94 that engage and pivotally retain pivot elements102 and 106 that protrude from proximal extensions 100 and 104 onopposite sides of barrel 96. As depicted, pivot elements 102 and 106 maybe circular in shape, or disk-shaped, so as to be received by, butrotate relative to, circular receptacles 88 and 94. Centers ofreceptacles 88 and 94 and of pivot elements 102 and 106 may be alignedto define an axis about which distal portion 83 of piece 80 and aproximal end of barrel 96 pivot relative to one another.

When piece 50 and piece 80 are assembled with one another, plunger 72 isdisposed within a receptacle 98 of barrel 96.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, and to FIGS. 1 and 2, the innerright piece 120 of handles 20 is bent. Piece 120 includes a proximalportion 121, an intermediate portion 122, and a distal portion 123.Proximal portion 121 is configured to be held by the thumb and palm ofthe user's hand, and may include a thumb retention feature 124.Intermediate portion 122 includes an elbow that juts out from a frontedge of piece 120. The elbow of intermediate portion 122 may include afeature 125, such as the depicted aperture, that is configured to securepiece 120 to other pieces 50, 80, 140 of handles 20. When feature 125 isan aperture, as depicted, it may be configured to receive a pivotelement of hinge 22 (FIG. 2). In the illustrated embodiment of piece120, feature 125 and a pivot axis through piece 120 are offset (e.g., bymore than about one centimeter, by about two centimeters or more, etc.)from a line that extends from a distal-most end of piece 120 to the mostproximal end of piece 120. Distal portion 123 of piece 120 may bepivotally secured to a plunger 136 of aspiration syringe 300 (FIG. 1).

Turning now to FIG. 11, and with additional reference to FIGS. 3 and 4,an end 128 of distal portion 123 of piece 120 includes a hub 130 thatprotrudes laterally (to the right in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4and 11) from end 128. Hub 130 defines an axis about which piece 120pivots relative to plunger 136. Plunger 136 includes a receptacle 134 atits proximal end 132. Receptacle 134, which is configured to receive hub130 and to rotate about hub 130, may have an annular appearance, withthe remainder of plunger 136 extending distally therefrom.

Referring again to FIG. 3, as well as to FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer rightpiece 140 of handles 20 is bent. Piece 140 includes a proximal portion141, an intermediate portion 142, and a distal portion 143. Proximalportion 141 is configured to be grasped by the fingers of a user's hand,and may include a feature 144, such as a ring, that is configured toreceive the user's index finger. Intermediate portion 142 may have anL-shape, and includes an elbow that juts out from a back edge of piece140. Intermediate portion 142 may also include a feature 145, such asthe depicted pivot element of hinge 22 (FIG. 2), that is configured todefine an axis about which front member 30 and rear member 40 of handlespivot relative to one another. Feature 145 may secure piece 140 to otherpieces 50, 80, 120 of handles 20. In the illustrated embodiment of piece140, due to the shape of intermediate portion 142, a pivot axis throughfeature 145 may be offset (e.g., by more than about one centimeter, byabout two centimeters or more, etc.) from a line that extends from adistal-most end of piece 140 to the most proximal end of piece 140.Distal portion 143 of piece 140 may be pivotally secured to a barrel 162of aspiration syringe 300 (FIG. 1).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, a proximal end of barrel 162 may be cradledbetween opposed, distally protruding arms 152 and 158 of distal portion143 of piece 140. More specifically, circular apertures 154 and 160 thatextend through, or similar features (e.g., circular recesses in opposedsurfaces of), arms 152 and 158 may receive and retain disk-shapedprotrusions 168 and 172 on oppositely facing surfaces of proximalextensions 166 and 170 that are located on opposite sides of barrel 162.As illustrated, arm 158 may comprise an extension of distal portion 143,while arm 152 protrudes from a ledge 148 that extends laterally (to theright, as depicted in FIGS. 4, 8, and 12) from distal portion 143.

When piece 120 and piece 140 are assembled with each other, plunger 136is disposed within a receptacle 164 of barrel 162.

Again returning reference to FIG. 3, the inner left piece 80 may includean extension 108 that protrudes from a rear edge of intermediate portion82. Extension 108 may include a somewhat circular shaped distal end 109.When pieces 80 and 120 are assembled with each other and secured to oneanother, distal end 109 of extension 108 is axially aligned with distalend 128 of piece 120. This arrangement is configured to support distalend 128 when syringe 10 (see FIG. 1) is used.

With returned reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, when all of the pieces 50, 80,120, and 140 of handles 20 are assembled with each other, pivotallyconnected front and rear members 30 and 40 are formed. The pivotalconnection of front and rear members 30 and 40 enables proximal portions31 and 41 of front and rear members 30 and 40, respectively, to be movedtoward and away from another.

With added reference to FIG. 3, the features of front member 30 (which,in the depicted embodiment, is formed by the outer pieces 50 and 140)form a yoke 32. More specifically, a proximal end of the intermediateportion 52 of outer left piece 50 of handles 20 forms a first arm 34 ofyoke 32 at an intermediate portion 35 of front member 30, while aproximal end of the intermediate portion 142 of outer right piece ofhandles 20 forms a second arm 36 of yoke 32 at intermediate portion 35of front member 30. As illustrated, first arm 34 and second arm 36 ofyoke 32 may be spaced apart from one another. At its distal end (and,thus, at a distal portion of the front member 30), the first arm 34 (onthe left side of syringe 10 in the illustrated embodiment) of yoke 32may be pivotally connected to the proximal end of plunger 72 of infusionsyringe 200. A distal end of the second arm 36 (on the right side ofsyringe 10, at a distal end of the front member 30 in the illustratedembodiment) of yoke 32 may be pivotally connected to the proximal end ofbarrel 162 of aspiration syringe 300.

The features of rear member 40 (which, in the depicted embodiment, isformed by inner pieces 80 and 120) also form two arms 44 and 46. Arms 44and 46 extend though yoke 32, between arms 34 and 36. A first arm 44 (onthe left side of syringe 10 in the illustrated embodiment) may bepivotally connected to the proximal end of barrel 96 of infusion syringe200. A second arm 46 (on the right side of syringe 10 in the illustratedembodiment) may be pivotally connected to the proximal end of plunger136 of aspiration syringe 300.

The pivotal connections between the proximal ends of plungers 72 and136, barrels 96 and 162 and their corresponding members 30 and 40 ofhandles 20 may be arranged such that the axes about which pivotingoccurs are perpendicular to and intersect central axes extending alongthe lengths of plungers 72 and 136 and barrels 96 and 162.

In use, handles 20 of a syringe 10 that incorporates teachings of thepresent invention may be moved from an open position, where proximalportions 31 and 41 of front and rear members 30 and 40, respectively,are positioned apart from one another (i.e., have been moved away fromone another), to a closed orientation, where proximal portions 31 and 41are brought in close proximity to each other (i.e., have been movedtoward one another). When handles 20 are in a fully open orientation, asshown in FIGS. 9 through 12, a distal end 73 of plunger 72 of infusionsyringe 200 is located at a proximal end of receptacle 98 of barrel 96,while plunger 136 is completely inserted into a receptacle 164 of barrel162 of aspiration syringe 300, with a distal end 137 of plunger 136located at a distal end of receptacle 164. As handles 20 are movedtoward the closed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2, which showhandles 20 in an intermediate orientation), plunger 72 moves distallyinto receptacle 98 of barrel 96, while plunger 136 is withdrawnproximally through receptacle 164 of barrel 162. Plungers 96 and 136 maybe continuously moved through substantially the entire lengths of thereceptacles 98 and 164 of their corresponding barrels 96 and 162 with asingle squeeze of handles 20. When handles 20 are in a fully closedorientation, as shown in FIGS. 5 through 8, plunger 72 is completelyinserted into receptacle 98 of barrel 96, with distal end 73 of plunger72 being located at a distal end of receptacle 98, while distal end 137of plunger 136 is located at a proximal end of receptacle 164 of barrel162.

Due to the configuration of handles 20 in the illustrated embodiment,when handles 20 are actuated, infusion syringe 200 and aspirationsyringe 300 may move somewhat in opposite directions.

Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, butmerely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferredembodiments. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention may bedevised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the presentinvention. Features from different embodiments may be employed incombination. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated andlimited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, ratherthan by the foregoing description. All additions, deletions andmodifications to the invention as disclosed herein which fall within themeaning and scope of the claims are to be embraced thereby.

What is claimed:
 1. A syringe, comprising: a first syringe, including a first barrel and a first plunger; a second syringe, including a second barrel and a second plunger; and handles, including: a first member pivotally connected to a proximal end of the first plunger and to the second barrel; and a second member pivotally connected to the first barrel and to a proximal end of the second plunger, the handles configured to force the first plunger a first direction through the first barrel while forcing the second plunger a second direction, opposite from the first direction, through the second barrel.
 2. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the first barrel and the second barrel include distal ends pointing in substantially the same direction.
 3. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the first and second members of the handles have an open orientation, in which the first and second members are spaced as far as possible apart from each other, and a closed orientation, in which the first and second members are positioned as close as possible to one another.
 4. The syringe of claim 3, wherein: with the handles in the open orientation: a distal end of the first plunger is positioned at a proximal end of the first barrel; and a distal end of the second plunger is located at or adjacent to a distal end of the second barrel; and with the handles in the closed orientation: the distal end of the first plunger is located at or adjacent to the distal end of the first barrel; and the distal end of the second plunger is positioned at a proximal end of the second barrel.
 5. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the first and second members of the handles are pivotally connected to one another.
 6. The syringe of claim 1, wherein: the first member of the handles includes: a first piece pivotally connected to the proximal end of the first plunger; and a second piece pivotally connected to the second barrel; and the second member of the handles includes: a first piece pivotally connected to the first barrel; and a second piece pivotally connected to the proximal end of the second plunger.
 7. The syringe of claim 6, wherein: the first and second pieces of the first member of the handles are rigidly secured to one another; and the first and second pieces of the second member of the handles are rigidly secured to one another.
 8. The syringe of claim 6, wherein a distal end of the first member of the handles forms a yoke for receiving a distal end of the second member of the handles.
 9. A syringe, comprising: a first syringe, including a first barrel and a first plunger; a second syringe, including a second barrel and a second plunger; and handles configured to force the first plunger a first direction through the first barrel while drawing the second plunger a second direction through the second barrel, the handles including: a first member pivotally connected to: a proximal end of the first plunger; and the second barrel; and a second member pivotally connected to: the first barrel; and a proximal end of the second plunger.
 10. The syringe of claim 9, wherein the handles are configured to force the first plunger the first direction through the first barrel while forcing the second plunger the second direction through the second barrel as the first member and the second member of the handles move toward one another.
 11. The syringe of claim 9, wherein the handles are configured to move the first barrel and the second barrel relative to one another as relative positions of the first member and the second member change.
 12. A syringe, comprising: a first syringe with a first barrel and a first plunger; a second syringe with a second barrel and a second plunger; and handles: pivotally connected to the first barrel, the first plunger, the second plunger and the second handle; and including a first member, a second member and a pivot associated with the first member and the second member, movement of portions of the first and second members located on an opposite side of the pivot from the first syringe and the second syringe toward each other being configured to cause the first plunger to move in a first direction and the second plunger to move in a second direction, the first and second directions being opposite from each other. 